Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive and completely matching example of the classic French Modèle 1873 Chamelot-Delvigne 11mm service revolver, manufactured at the Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne and dated 1884. Serial number J 22617 is present on the major numbered components throughout the revolver, while the original bright steel finish survives in protected areas beneath an appealing service patina. With an excellent bore, properly functioning single and double action mechanism, clearly legible arsenal and model markings, and considerable evidence of honest military use, this is an especially appealing example of France's first standard double action military revolver.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Adopted by France in 1873, the Chamelot-Delvigne Modèle 1873 represented an important step forward in French military handgun development. The solid frame, six shot, double action revolver was manufactured at the government arms factory at Saint-Étienne and chambered for the 11mm French ordnance cartridge. Its robust construction and straightforward mechanism gave the design an exceptionally long service life. Although eventually superseded in front line service by the Modèle 1892, the older revolvers remained in French inventories through the First World War and were still encountered with reserve forces during the Second World War. Examples were also used by members of the French Resistance during the German occupation.

This example bears matching serial number:

J 22617

The number is present on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, cylinder, trigger, hammer, and cylinder base pin. The matching numbers across these components are a particularly desirable feature on a military revolver that has survived well over a century, with no indication from the serial markings that these numbered components have been exchanged.

The right side of the frame retains its Saint-Étienne arsenal marking:

Mre d'Armes
Saint-Étienne

The top of the barrel is marked:

Mle 1873

The right side of the barrel is dated:

S. 1884

The S denotes Saint-Étienne, while the date on the barrel is consistent with this revolver's 1884 production period. French Modèle 1873 barrels were marked in this format, although on revolvers that later returned to the arsenal for rebarreling, the date can instead indicate the replacement barrel. Serial number research places examples in the J 22,000 range within 1884 production, supporting the original barrel date on this revolver.

Many of the smaller components are additionally marked:

B / 17

We have preserved this marking exactly as observed but have not assigned it to a particular inspector or production function without further documentation.

Additional markings include a:

CROWN / E

stamp beneath the barrel and on the side of the cylinder. This crowned E is associated with inspection at the Saint-Étienne manufacture and is a correct marking for these French military revolvers. Additional circled letter markings, including (R) and (T), are present on the left side of the barrel, together with other inspection marks elsewhere on the revolver. French arsenal practice included letter markings associated with manufacture officials and controllers, but we have not assigned these particular letters to named individuals here.

Overall condition is very good and particularly attractive for a French military sidearm of this age. The revolver appears to have spent a considerable period exposed to moisture, the elements, or possibly prolonged storage in a holster, resulting in scattered peppering and light pitting. This is most noticeable toward the muzzle and at the rear of the frame adjacent to the grips. Fortunately, most of the important marked areas were spared the heavier surface deterioration and remain readily legible.

The Modèle 1873 was originally finished in polished bright steel rather than being blued, and portions of that original bright appearance remain visible on this example. Other areas have developed darker oxidation staining and the naturally mottled patina expected from long military service and storage. The result is an honest and very appealing period appearance rather than the uniformly polished surface sometimes encountered on heavily cleaned examples.

The wooden grip panels remain in very good service used condition. Their original checkering is still relatively well defined, although the wood has darkened considerably with age, handling, and absorbed oils. There are scattered scratches and several small areas of wood loss throughout, all consistent with long use. The lanyard ring remains present, rotates freely, and shows no obvious deformation.

The bore is in excellent condition, showing a bright interior with strong lands and grooves. There is only minor evidence of past fouling and light oxidation that has since been removed. Considering the exterior wear and military service evident elsewhere on the revolver, the condition of the bore is particularly noteworthy.

The action functions well in both single and double action. Cylinder indexing is good and lockup is solid. The cylinder arbor pin can be withdrawn properly, allowing the cylinder to be removed in the normal manner for cleaning. The loading gate remains present and operates as intended, while the ejector rod also moves and functions correctly. These observations describe only the revolver's present mechanical condition and are not an indication that it has been inspected or approved for firing.

Collectors of classic adventure films may also recognize the Chamelot-Delvigne Modèle 1873 from the 1999 film The Mummy. Brendan Fraser's character Rick O'Connell carries a pair of these distinctive French revolvers in shoulder holsters and uses them extensively throughout the film, giving an already historically important military revolver an entertaining connection to modern popular culture.

With its matching serial number J 22617, correct S. 1884 barrel date, clear Saint-Étienne manufacture markings, numerous surviving inspection stamps, original bright steel visible beneath its mature patina, excellent bore, complete lanyard ring, and well functioning single and double action mechanism, this is an especially appealing example of one of France's most recognizable 19th century military revolvers. It would display particularly well in a French martial arms collection, a First World War sidearm display, a collection of early double action military revolvers, or alongside other European service handguns illustrating the transition toward modern military sidearms.

Specifications of MAS model 73

Year of Manufacture: 1883
Maker: Saint-Étienne Arsenal (MAS)
Model: 1873 Chamelot-Delvigne Revolver
Serial No.: J 22617
Length: 240 mm (9.5 inches)
Barrel length: 115 mm (4.5 inches)
Finish: Bright Steel
Weight (empty): 1.04 kg
Cylinder: 6 cartridges
Ammunition: 11 mm Mle 1873 (11x17mmR)
Rifling: 4 right-hand grooves
Operation: Double Action / Single Action
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

History of the MAS 1873

The Franco-Prussian War in 1870 clearly demonstrated the need for up-to-date equipment in war time. A great military tradition and esprit de corps can be defeated by superior training, and in the case of that war, artillery. After the war, both Germany and France continued to improve their military technology. However, neither side was convinced of the importance of pistols for field officers. The sword continued to be the symbol of authority for an officer on the battlefield all the way into World War I. European general staffs at that time were extremely conservative and pistols were sometimes grudgingly adopted as personal defense weapons with no practical offensive use. Even as pistols became more of a symbol of the officer, most preferred to privately purchase a smaller and more comfortable handgun instead of using a large standard issue revolver.

The Chamelot-Delvigne 11mm Modele 1873 was adopted by the French army as a service revolver for non-commissioned officers. The Modele 1874 Revolver d'Officier was the version issued to officers. The differences between the two models included the following: the 1873 was finished in the white, whereas the 1874 had a fluted cylinder and a blued finish. The 1873 and 1874 were the first center-fire cartridge revolvers adopted by the French army. They had solid-frame, side-ejection, double-action mechanisms. The pistols were manufactured by the St. Etienne armoury, which still continues to manufacture fine sporting arms.

The design of the Chamelot-Delvigne revolvers became so popular that versions were adopted by the Belgian in 1871, Dutch, Italian, and 1872 in Switzerland with the Model 1872 Revolver.

The caliber of these French pistols was 11x17.8mmR. The French round was actually 0.47 mm larger than its German counterpart. The German round could be loaded and used in the French pistol, but French rounds would not chamber in the German pistol. The cartridge had a pointed lead bullet weighing 11 grams. The case length was 17.8 mm, which was rather on the short side. Reloading this cartridge could take some patience due to the shortness of the case. Military specifications called for black powder loads, replaced by a mild smokeless powder in the early twentieth century. Standard muzzle velocity was around 550 feet per second.

The cylinder had a side-loading gate which pulled straight to the rear. The sight picture was a ball and v type and is easy to align. It could be difficult to stay on target double-action due to the stiffness of the action. There was certainly no danger of accidentally pulling the trigger double-action. Cleaning and disassembly were easy as the cylinder pin doubled as a screwdriver and all-purpose tool. Internal parts were finely machined and finished. The trigger, hammer, and several of the internal springs were straw-finished, a type of case-hardening hot oil finish.

The French pistols began their service with the French army in the late 19th Century and saw service all over the globe in French colonies. Many saw service in World War I when European armies finally realized how important pistols were in the trenches. The Chamelot-Delvigne finally ended its venerable service as a police sidearm in World War II.

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IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.